My 2010 Street Bob started making a new noise yesterday. I had ridden for about an hour and then got stuck in traffic and spent 20 min. stopped and creeping along a few feet at a time. The noise started towards the end of the traffic part of the ride. For lack of a better way to describe it, it is a tone that sounds like running your finger around the rim of a crystal glass. I hear it on the right side of the bike. It happens when I take off right at the clutch engagement point for a second or two when I get the bike moving. It only happens at that particular RPM. If I give it more or less gas when I start I don't hear it. I can also hear it sometimes when just riding slowly, like around a parking lot, not using the clutch at all. Sometimes I can hear it very faintly when the bike is in neutral and I give it a little gas. I parked the bike for a few hours and then rode it again. The noise didn't start again for 15 min. or so until the bike was warmed up. Has anybody ever heard anything like this?

 

i have no idea but i also would like to know what that is

 

Could possibly be your front brake, I know mine does it at certain speeds. Next time it happens squeeze the brake harder without stopping the bike. Bet it stops when you brake harder.

 

Sorry I didnt read the bit where you said it happens at idle... sorry!

 

Gremlins, do you have a bell? Suggest you get one. I like the brake idea.

 

your bike was probably over heating.....

 

Change the oil and primary fluid and see if it goes away when warmed up- sounds like you got it hot enuff to cut the viscosity way down, maybe put a little glaze on clutch plate?

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'll try changing oil and primary oil. I just did that a month ago though and the weather has been cooler here.

Afterthought: I adjusted the clutch a month ago when I changed the fluids. The engagement point is further out now than it was. It used to be closer to the handlebar. Now it engages about halfway out. I have not noticed any slipping though so it must be very little if it's doing it. If it is the clutch, wouldn't I hear it on the left instead of the right?

 

No idea if it's your clutch- but that would be a lot nicer than a bearing. Just change your fluids first before 'losing anymore sleep' over it.

 

I think I've eliminated the clutch as the source of the noise. I changed the primary fluid and re-adjusted the clutch. Then I took it out for a 30 min. ride down the highway and then back through town. It didn't start again until I stopped and started a few times in a parking lot. I does it in neutral and in gear at that certain RPM that is just above idle (sorry I can't be more specific on that as I don't have a tach). Using the clutch doesn't seem to cause it, it just happens to hold it at that RPM for a couple seconds when I start. It sounds like it is coming from the motor on the right side. Sounds kind of like a quiet low pitched horn. I will try changing the oil tonight unless anyone has any other ideas. I don't think I've broken down the oil though, it's only a month old and has been in very little stop and go traffic.